Tag: app
ABCey’s Startup Monday: Gametime
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that showcases some of the most innovative San Francisco startups! These are often selected from a list of companies that we LOVE or have worked with in the past. This week, we are putting the spotlight on Gametime.
What is Gametime?
Founded in late 2013 by Brad Griffith, Gametime is a platform for users to buy tickets for sports, concerts, and theater events across the US and Canada. And, they curate an epic list of the most amazing possibilities your city has to offer all while making tickets as easy as possible to purchase with your smart phone. Tickets arrive in a flash and there’s no need to print!
How Does It Work?
Through an algorithm, the app is able to find the best seat for the selected venue that caters to you. Once you’ve found the perfect seats, check out in two taps—even after the event starts! Gametime delivers the tickets directly to your phone. Going with friends? Text your tickets to your crew and everyone gets in instantly. If plans change, no problem – sell your tickets (even paper ones) with the push of a button.
Why we love it
We love Gametime as purchasing an event ticket has never been easier. It is easy to select your seat and find one that matches your budget. As time draws closer to an event’s start, Gametime strategically reduces ticket prices for last-minute customers, setting up a great last minute hangout and experience.
Have you tried Gametime? Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
If you’re interested in learning more about events we’ve done for other San Francisco startups or other Fortune 500 companies, click here.
ABCey Presents: #TechTuesday Evernote
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday, features Evernote, an app that keeps your notes and best ideas organized!
Evernote
We all know event planning can be a little hectic sometimes, but Evernote gives you the ability to keep all of your creative ideas and notes organized! The app ensures that everything is in sync and all in one place to easily find your work fast. Not to mention, it allows users to enhance their notes by adding checklists, attachments and audio recordings!
It’s easy to forget certain tasks when you’re searching through multiple checklists and trying to find what needs to get done! This mobile filing event app gives you organization skills event planners have always wanted! Organize your site selection research and travel itinerary notes, and quickly share with members of your team!
We are always looking for innovative ways to make event planning more efficient for us and our clients. This app saves us a lot of stress by providing the organization all event planners need!
Do you use Evernote? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s #TechTuesday Fly Another Day
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. Today’s #TechTuesday, features Fly Another Day, a software that will ensure the highest event participation all within seconds!
Fly Another Day
Events profs ever wonder why attendance numbers are low? Fly Another day makes date selection easier by choosing ideal dates and locations that encourage participation. The software does this by analyzing potential issues that may affect the availability of your audience!
Fly Another day can be used for various events like business functions, product launches, marketing releases, or even private events!
We are always looking for innovative ways to make event planning more efficient for us and our clients. This software saves us a lot of stress as well as increasing participation for our clients!
Do you use Fly Another Day? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey Events Startup Monday: Shyp
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! Today’s Startup Monday highlights Shyp, a shipping app that makes sending packages less of a hassle!
Shyp
Don’t have enough time in the day to ship items? This app saves time and lets you focus on the more pressing things on your to do list! Using the app, customers set up a location (home or work) for Shyp to pick up the item. After pick up, Shyp will pack (if you haven’t already) and ship your item for you while also providing a tracking number!
Who Can Shyp?
Shyp is available for individuals, businesses and enterprises and can do everything from printing labels to getting the box and tape necessary to ship! Another great feature is their pricing. Individuals and small to medium size businesses do not have to pay monthly fees!
The app is currently available to those in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago.
We love that this is on less thing to worry about and we can focus on other important tasks!
Interested in Shyp? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Startup Monday: Winnie Helps Parents and Kids Explore
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! Today’s Startup Monday highlights Winnie, a great app for parents to use to find places to go for them and their kids!
Nominated for “Hot New Startup” at this years upcoming TechCrunch Crunchies Awards, Winnie is helping parents across the US, as being a parent can be a lot of work. Finding places for you and your kids to go can be an added difficulty. With the help of Winnie, parents can make weekend plans a lot easier!
Features of Winnie
Find Child Oriented Activities
Winnie allows parents to find the nearest changing table or best place for nursing. It also addresses those looking to go out to eat with kids. Users can select filters such as: places with highchairs, kids eat free, and kids menus to make choosing a restaurant easy.
Stories are Reviews for Parents by Parents
No need to scroll through reviews for relevant information. The stories portion of the app gives parents the opportunity to review places they have been while addressing the needs of parents. You can also post pictures of kids having a great time while putting cute stickers over their faces for privacy!
Planning a Weekend Getaway with the Kids Made Easier
Traveling with kids can be a huge source of stress. The app lets users jump to other locations, making finding things to do on your vacation a lot easier. Parents can avoid worrying and focus on enjoying exploring a new place with their kids!
Click here to download the Winnie app.
Will you be using Winnie? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Create a Customized Snapchat Filter for Your Event
As Snapchat continues to be a dominant avenue for social media, it is a great tool to use for event promotion. As you may know, Snapchat has an awesome feature that allows you to create your own snapchat filter for an event, On-Demand Geofilter. This allows anyone at the location of your event to use the filter during a designated time frame. At ABCey, we like to keep you up to date on all the latest social marketing tactics. So, here is a simple step by step on how to create your own filter!
** Note: to create an On-Demand Geofilter you must have a Snapchat account.
Create a Customized Snapchat Filter for Your Event
Step 1: Go to Canva.com
Once at the website, create a design using custom dimensions 1080px x 1920px.
After setting the dimensions, start designing! Keep in mind you want to leave room for people’s faces – so try to stick to customizing the top, bottom, and frame of the space.
Step 2: Download Your Finished Product
After you finish designing your cool new filter, click the download button and download the file as a PNG.
Step 3: Download GIMP
Download the computer application GIMP.
Step 4: Open Your Filter in GIMP
First, open your new filter by going to File → Open → Select Filter PNG. After, go to Select → By Color and click the white portion of your filter. Proceed by going to Colors → Color to Alpha. Finally, go to File → Overwrite nameofyourfilter.png.
Step 5: Go to Snapchat
Login to Snapchat.com and follow the steps on their website to upload your filter, select the location and time you want your filter to be active.
Happy Snapping!
Do you plan on using a custom Snapchat filter for your events? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!
7 Tech Gadgets for Event Professionals
Welcome to the digital age! Yes, robots taking over can be scary, but technology can also be used for good. With so many gizmos and tools on the market, we want to keep you in with some of the top must-haves for event tech. ABCey Events has compiled a list of 7 great tech gadgets and apps for all event professionals to help make your job just a little bit easier!
7 Tech Gadgets and Apps for Events
1. Measuring Tools: Camera measuring app
Whether you want to know the measurements at a site visit, or see if the venue will fit a certain event prop, knowing exactly how much room you have is important. Instead of struggling with a regular measuring tape, turn your iPhone into a measuring tool with the EasyMeasure app! This app uses your camera to measure your distance from an object and dimensions of an image. Simply point your camera, click, and get very accurate measurements!
2. HD Livestream Broadcaster
It sucks when guests can’t make it your event, but they can still be part of the event action with livestream broadcasting! Event tech gadgets, like Livestream’s Broadcaster Pro, allow you to broadcast your event live in HD! You can easily attach this to any HDMI camera or your smartphone’s Livestream app. Then, click play and you’ll be recording live! Help guests who couldn’t make it, get your event noticed, and let people see how tech savvy you are!
3. Lightwave: Biometric sensor-equipped wristbands
Did you ever want to know how your guests are feeling? Now you can with Lightwave wristbands! These sensor wristbands pick up on a person’s body temperature, movement, and other biometric data. You can then use this data to adjust your event in real time. Change everything from the lighting brightness to music tempo and mic volume to create the perfect balance!
4. Digital Portable Scanner
If you’re an event professional on the go, it’s hard to keep track of documents, floor plans, proposals, and more! And, now that we live in the digital age, having hard copies of papers is almost pointless. To help fix this problem, try a digital portable scanner! With this magic wand, you can take physical copies of important docs and scan them to make digital copies. This way you won’t ever lose a contract, bank statement, or receipt ever again!
5. Crowd Mic App
It’s great to hear from your audience, but walking around to each person in a crowd with a microphone can be a hassle. Crowd Mic’s app lets any event guest’s smartphone become a microphone. Tap to request to speak, and the presenter can accept it, mute you, and let everyone speak with the open mic mode. Also, this app lets you have live polls and text, so you can directly connect with your attendees. Don’t make your staff run around and engage your guests with this fun event tech!
6. Google Chrome Work Devices
Make your virtual meetings a breeze with Google Chrome Devices! Google has devices and packages that can include everything from speakers, a remote control, a mechanical pan and tilt HD camera, tech support, and the physical Chromebox system/core processor. In addition, the box is equipped with Google app software which makes it easy to share docs, spreadsheets, Google invitations and more! Next time you have a virtual conference call, use this event gadget to help your video conference run smoothly!
7. Portable Projector
As an event prof, you have to be prepared for the worst, like your projector breaking down! Instead of having a massive projector, get a small portable projector. These are great for both meeting presentations and displaying videos or images at your parties! For a great all purpose projector, check out the Epson PowerLite Multimedia Projector. Not only does it project high quality data, videos, and photos, but it also connects directly and wirelessly to phones, computers, tablets, and USB memory drives. Give attendees a great presentation with a remote or a mouse control, and easily carry this 3.7 pound projector in your bag!
Do you plan on using any of these event gadgets for your events? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!
How Waze’s New Events Program Can Help Avoid Traffic
Waze has long been one of our favorite navigation apps, providing users with real-time traffic information. For those who don’t already use this amazing service, Waze is the largest community based app that shares real time traffic and gives you “Waze” to avoid traffic. If you love this app as much as we do and events for that matter, you’ll be super excited to hear about their new feature. Read below to find more about their Global Events Partner Program!
How can people use this new Waze feature?
With Waze’s newly implemented Global Events Partner Program, users can avoid traffic caused by events! However, that’s not all. This can also potentially help out event proffesionals in more ways than you think!
1. For Partners
Partner up with Waze to create a better road. By alerting Waze of your event, you can create better experiences for your guests as well as others! With this app, attendees will know how to get to your event and where to park. In addition, it shows you the best and nearest parking lots and you’ll be alerting non-attending Wazers to stay away from the event venue to create better traffic flow! Apply for the Waze Global Event Partners to prevent traffic for everyone!
2. For Attendees
Don’t get stuck in traffic while you’re going to an event! Download this app to know which alternate route is your best option to avoid road closures, changes, and traffic delays.
How does it give you this information? Since this app is community based, the information is obtained collectively from other users. When users turn on the app, it can detect traffic by calculating how fast people are going and if you’re going slower than normal, then other users will be alerted and rerouted to avoid traffic!
3. For Wazers
Outsmart traffic caused by events! You may not mean to get into it, but sometimes it happens. We know the troubles and want to help you prevent that from happening. Since you Wazers already know how beneficial this app can be, make sure to keep the app on to avoid event traffic and help others get there faster by steering clear of the area.
Learning how to beat traffic is a must and with this app, and it’s easier than ever! You’ll get all the information you need while you’re on the road!
Would you partner up with Waze to try this awesome new feature? Let us know if the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
How to Use Instagram Stories for Events
In this day and age, Social media is arguably the most useful tool for event planners! Recently, Instagram has come out with a new feature, Instagram Stories, that rivals Snapchat Stories. At ABCey, we want to keep you updated with all of the newest social marketing developments and how they effect the event world. So, here are our tips so you can use Instagram Stories for your next event!
How similar are Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories?
If you recently updated your Instagram, you’ve probably noticed little circles above your regular feed. This new feature is Instagram Stories which is their version of Snapchat Stories. Like Snapchat, Instagram Stories can be edited with text and emojis and only last for 24 hours. In addition, you can see which of your followers (similar to Snapchat friends) have seen your stories. Although they may seem the same, there are some important differences that all eventprofs should know!
How are they different for events?
1. Social Media Marketing
One huge thing that sets Instagram Stories apart from Snapchat Stories are their audiences. On Snapchat, you have to be friends with someone to watch their stories. However on Instagram, it’s a whole different story! With a private account, all your followers can view your story. But if you have a public account, anyone can see it. This means your company and upcoming events can get tons of exposure from social media marketing!
2. Privacy Feature
In addition, only Instagram Stories have a privacy feature. This feature lets you block anyone from seeing your story. Take advantage of this for your events, and keep the event a secret from certain followers! Also, you can reward your followers by making your account private for a certain period. During that time, you can post special coupons or inside info on your story and only your loyal followers can see these prizes!
3. Permanent Posting From Your Story
Although Snapchat and Instagram Stories are alike, Instagram has some extra bonus features! Now you can easily take videos or images of an event from your story and post them permanently on your Instagram. This keeps the memory of an event alive, even when the event is over!
4. Audience Interaction
Instead of a chronological order like Snapchat, Instagram Stories are sorted by who you interact with the most. Now you can see who your best followers are and reward them with prizes! Also, it’s super important to engage with your guests! Encourage them to post event images and ask questions on their Instagram story. After, give your guests a unique event experience by answering their questions and giving them a shout out on your story or by directly messaging them!
5. Use Snapchat How To’s
Because this feature is similar to Snapchat Stories, you can use these Snapchat event tips for your Instagram! Instagram Stories give you great features of Snapchat and more of their of their own. You can post everything from behind-the-scenes footage of the event production process to shout outs from important speakers and sponsored advertisements during your events!
Do you plan to use Instagram Stories for your events? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Startup Monday: DoubleDutch-Live Engagement Marketing Platform
Startup Monday is ABCey’s weekly post that features some of the best and brightest companies in the Bay Area. They are often companies that we have our eye on, or have worked with in the past & would like to share with friends and followers of ABCey Events! In today’s Startup Monday, we highlight a live engagement platform and mobile app: DoubleDutch!
As event professionals, we always try to create better experiences for our event attendees. It’s also important we have right tools for the event to run smoothly. Afterward, we really want to learn from the event, so that our next one is even better! So, how do we manage all this information? With DoubleDutch, you’re able to do all those things and more!
DoubleDutch Live Engagement Platform:
This company’s main product is their live engagement platform, which helps everyone from sponsors, attendees, planners, exhibitors, and marketers! Under this platform, there are 5 different sections: Studio, Event App, Lead Manager, Performance Manager, and Exhibitor Portal. All of these applications help to improve the event process and the overall success of the event!
Studio
First, customize your app and plan your event with DoubleDutch’s Studio! After you create the perfect app that matches your brand, use Studio to send out event invites to promote your app and event. In addition, manage your event content including: agendas, interactive maps, event information, user profiles, and more. And thats not all! You can help your sponsors advertise their posts, achievements, and activity to your guests!
Event App
Having an app for your event will be sure to impress attendees, but it’s also great for event professionals and will make your guests’ event experience so much easier! For event producers, the DoubleDutch Event app lets you give out attendee lists, surveys, polls, Q&A’s, direct messages as well as set up gaming aspects and forums. Also, attendees can create their agendas, and see profiles of sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers!
Performance Manager
Learn what worked and what didn’t with their Performance Manager! During the event, you can easily see how the event is going, what your guests like the most, poll/survey results, and more. Now you have tons of info that tells you how your event went and valuable insight for the next ones!
Exhibitor Portal
Your event exhibitors and sponsors will love Double Dutch too! Because the Exhibitor Portal lets exhibitors contact and understand their attendees, they are set to have a better booth and business! From customizing exhibitor’s app profiles and scheduling meetings to managing staff and giving offers to guests, there is nothing this app doesn’t do!
Lead Management
Finally, their platform has a Lead Management application to help you market your event! It looks at attendees’ actions, interests, and engagement, so that you can make informed decisions. Also, your attendees will love when DoubleDutch gives them recommendations on connections/sessions based on their activity at an event! Try their demo and see how DoubleDutch can improve your events!
Integration and Security
Are you currently using a different registration system? DoubleDutch has the answer! In addition to their platform, this company has added integration features that allow you to combine schedules, profiles, etc. from more than 100 other registration systems! They make it that easy!
You can also integrate with Salesforce and Marketo to have the best marketing campaigns and CRM services! Now you can use their platform with the info and work you already have. There are also security measures that make sure your data and event is safe!
Are you planning to use DoubleDutch? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!